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External iliac vein

The external iliac
vein is part of the human vascular system. It is an extension of the
femoral vein, which is one of the lower leg's deep veins.

This vein travels up through the upper thigh as the femoral
vein and becomes the external iliac vein (a name that corresponds with the
artery it accompanies) when it reaches the lower abdomen. The inguinal ligament
is located directly in front of it. It starts at the groin and runs along the edge
of the pelvic area. When combined, the internal and external iliac veins form
the common iliac vein at the coccyx (or tailbone).

Conditions affecting the external iliac vein include iliac
vein compression syndrome, a venous disease that occurs when the right common
iliac artery crosses over the vein. The compression that occurs can result in
vein fibrosis, or thickening of the vein. This condition typically manifests
three different patterns or symptoms: chronic leg pain and swelling, chronic
venous insufficiency (chronic leg pain complaints), and iliofemoral DVT (venous
drainage problems in the leg due to a clot).